DIY Network

Abstract Shuffle Quilt Laura Wasilowski's sunflower-inspired quilt features an arrangement of fabric blocks in sun-drenched hues. From "Uncommon Threads" episode DUCT-113

Laura Wasilowski takes the abstract approach. Her quilt is created using the colors of sunflowers and a warm summer day. She'll fuse pieces in those colors together and use what she calls the "abstract shuffle" to create her design.

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Abstract Shuffle Quilt

The quilt (measuring about 15"x15") is made with fused fabrics that are assembled in an improvisational manner. No photo, sketch or pattern is used to construct the quilt. Instead, fused fabrics are free-cut and reassembled at random.

Materials:

12"x12" block fabrics, 3 medium-value colors
16"x16" light- or medium-value blue background fabric
16"x16" backing fabric
8"x18" binding fabric
3 yds. fusible web
16"x16" batting
12"x12" release paper
decorative rotary cutter blade in shapes like wave, deckle, scallop or pinking

Preparation

1. Fuse all the fabrics (except backing) by following the instructions that come with the fusible web.

2. After the fabric cools, remove the release paper from all the fabrics, saving a 12"x12" sheet from one of the block fabrics in one piece. This quilt is assembled on that release paper.

Construction

1. Free-cut 3 squares, each measuring about 3" square, from each of the 3 medium-value block fabrics (figure A).

2. Place 3 rows of 3 squares on the release paper and alternate the colors so no 2 squares of the same color are touching (figure B).

Figure A

Figure B

3. Overlap the fabric squares on top of each other by about 1/4" to join the fabrics together into a block (figure C). Fuse-tack into place.

4. After the fabric cools, remove the block from the release paper and place it on a cutting mat.

5. Free-cut about 1 1/2" from the bottom side of the block with a decorative rotary cutter blade to make 2 fabric units (figure D).

Figure C

Figure D

6. Place the large fabric unit on the release paper. Place the small fabric unit next to the large one on the opposite side from where it was joined to the large piece. Overlap the small unit on top of the large unit by 1/4". Fuse-tack into place.

7. Repeat steps 4 and 5, except cut the fabric block through the center.

8. Flip the right block around and place it to the left of the other block. Shift the block down 3/4", overlap and fuse-tack into place.

9. Repeat steps 4 and 5, except cut the fabric block horizontally into thirds.

10. Free-cut about 2" from the left hand side of the center block.

11. Place the background fabric on the batting and backing fabric. Fuse-tack into place.

Figure E

12. Arrange the 4 blocks on the background fabric until you are pleased with the composition.

13. Press the quilt with steam to set the glue.

14. Quilt the quilt by machine or by hand (figure E).

15. Trim the quilt square, add a hanging pocket and bind the quilt with a fused binding.

RESOURCES :

Rainbow Rich hand-dyed cotton fabric
Website: www.artfabrik.com

GUESTS :

Laura Wasilowski
Website: www.artfabrik.com